by Crystal Caudill | Jan 4, 2024 | Book Reviews, Reading Challenge
It’s time for another month of the Unlocking the Past Reading Challenge: Unlock an Adventure. I’m so excited to join you on an adventure this year with guest reviews from our reading challenge participants. If you want to submit a review for upcoming months, feel free to sign up for a month here and use the Google form to submit your review. As my time has become too limited to do a suggestions post each month, I encourage you to jump over to the Unlocking the Past Reading Challenge page and ask for suggestions from there or from any of a number of amazing reader groups like Avid Readers of Christian Fiction or check out the Inspirational Historical Fiction Index.
*The list of prizes available from my prize shelf can be found here.*
December’s Theme: Christmas
January Verse:Â A time to be born and a time to die.
Challenge Theme: A book with a Baby or End of Life character
Christmas at Whitefriars
by Elizabeth Camden
Review by: Crystal Caudill
I’ve long been a fan of Elizabeth Camden, and I’m slowly working my way through her backlist. This story is a lot of fun, taking place in a castle in England at Christmas. The heroine, Mary, is agoraphobic–meaning she has a fear of leaving her safe little castle, while the hero is a businessman who has a partnership with Whitefriar Castle to license their image for their food products. The interaction between the two is sweet, and one I’m ready to reread again. But can love and marriage happen when the hero, Everett, has to live in New York for his business and Mary can’t even leave her English castle? You’ll have to see how they overcome this obstacle because it’s not what you expect, and I cheered the whole time.
Genre: Historical Romance, 1912, England
Plot Overview:
Mary Beckwith lives in a magnificent English castle during the twilight years of the gilded age. With the help of an American millionaire, she has succeeded in renovating her beloved Whitefriars castle into a splendid estate just in time for Christmas.
From across the ocean, millionaire Everett Wooten has spent a fortune propping up Whitefriars to add modern conveniences and rebuild crumbling old walls. Even though he’s never met Mary, they have enjoyed a lively business correspondence over the nine years they have been working toward a renovation. Now he has finally come to see Mary and the castle in person, but nothing is as he was led to believe.
Mary and Everett try to find a way forward, but red-blooded American entrepreneurship doesn’t always mingle with blue-blooded English tradition. Can a Manhattan business tycoon and an English lady come to an accord, or will their joint venture in Whitefriars result in heartbreak for them both?
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy, comment with what book YOU read for this month and you will also be entered into the year-end Grand Prize Reader Basket. Use the Rafflecopter below for extra entries and to mark that you left a comment. Entries end on the 7th of each month at midnight EST, and the winner will be drawn sometime that week and notified by email. The winner will be announced don’t the Rafflecopter widget. (This month is being extended to the 12th, due to my lateness in getting it out.
*Open to all residents of the contiguous USA, legally able to enter, and an e-book format or Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to those outside that range who are legally able to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Recommendations for January:
- The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold (End of Life)
- Something I Haven’t Told You by Pearl Ada Pridham (Baby)
- Where the Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner (End of Life)
- Chasing Christmas by Teri Blackstock (End of Life)
- This is Where it Ends by Cindy Sproles (End of Life)
- Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble (Baby)
- Because of the Rain by Deborah Raney (Baby – but tough read)
- The Noble Guardian, Michelle Griep (Baby)
- In Harm’s Way by Irene Hannon (Baby)
- Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico by Lena Nelson Dooley (Baby)
What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it?
by Crystal Caudill | Nov 14, 2023 | Book Reviews
The Lady of Bolton Hill
by Elizabeth Camden
Review:
I haven’t read all of Elizabeth Camden’s books yet, but so far, I have to say this one is my favorite. While the hero is a difficult man to love, the profoundness of the spiritual arc, not just for him but for other key characters, just totally blew away. The prologue was a must-read if you are to make it through the rest of the book and understand how Clara and Daniel could like each other, so don’t skip it. It’s a story of how vengeance destroys and kills and how forgiveness heals–but it’s so much more than that. One of the most impactful and complicated characters was Bane–a villain of all people.
The historical details of this story are immaculate, as always. I felt right there in the story while also learning so much. The romance was a true struggle of loving someone who wasn’t who they once were and yet fighting for them because you know who they can be. The familial relationships are complicated, broken, and realistic. There are just so many layers to this story that I know I will find new things when I read it again.
Recommended for fans of Historical romance, friends to more, redemption stories, antiheroes who grow into true heroes, and women in unusual professions (reporter during the 1880s).
Genre: Historical Romance, Gilded Age
Plot:
Female journalists are rare in 1879, but American born Clara Endicott has finally made a name for herself with her provocative articles championing London’s poor. When the backlash from her work forces a return home to Baltimore, Clara finds herself face to face with a childhood sweetheart who is no longer the impoverished factory worker she once knew. In her absence, Daniel Tremain has become a powerful industry giant and Clara finds him as enigmatic as ever. However, Daniel’s success is fueled by resentment from past wounds and Clara’s deeply held beliefs about God’s grace force Daniel to confront his own motives. When Clara’s very life is endangered by one of Daniel’s adversaries, they must face a reckoning neither of them ever could have foreseen.
Author Website: https://elizabethcamden.com/
Purchase Link: Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | GoodReads
What is the most recent book you’ve read? What did you like about it? Who would you recommend it to?
by Crystal Caudill | Jan 31, 2023 | Book Reviews, Reading Challenge
It’s time for a new season of the Unlocking the Past Reading Challenge: Unlock an Adventure. I’m so excited to be joining you on an adventure this year with guest reviews from members of our reading challenge participants. If you have a review you’d like to submit for upcoming months, feel free to sign up for a month here and use the Google form to submit your review. As my time has become too limited to do a suggestions post each month, I encourage you to jump over to the Unlocking the Past Reading Challenge page and ask for suggestions from there or from any of a number of amazing reader groups like Avid Readers of Christian Fiction.
*The list of prizes available from my prize shelf can be found here.*
January’s Theme: Spies
February’s Theme: Underground Railroad
The Prince of Spies
by Elizabeth Camden
Review by: Crystal Caudill
I am a HUGE fan of Elizabeth Camden’s books, and The Prince of Spies did not disappoint. This Romeo & Juliet style story has a much better outcome than its Shakespearean inspiration. The depth of spiritual growth experienced by the characters was surprising, refreshing, and personally needed. There is no such thing as a perfect family, and this book’s family dynamics are emotionally complex yet real. On the romance side of things, the storyline was exactly what it needed to be. I’m not an over-the-top romance reader, but the sweet moments in this book, the challenges they face as a couple, and the love they shared made for a perfect balance. This story ended up being the perfect wrap-up to the series, and I usually dislike Romeo and Juliet-type stories. I definitely recommend you run out and get a copy.
For Fans of: Gilded Age romances, historical details, Romeo & Juliet type stories
Genre: Historical Romance
Plot Overview:
Luke Delacroix has long had a reputation of being an impulsive adventurer, the wild son of one of Gilded Age Washington’s most prominent families. In reality, he has been secretly carrying out an ambitious agenda in Congress. His current mission: to thwart the reelection of Congressman Clyde Magruder, his only real enemy in the world.
Trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman’s only daughter. Luke is fascinated by the vibrant Marianne and her daring work as a government photographer, leading them into a forbidden romance. Now they must embark on a dangerous gamble to reconcile their growing feelings with Luke’s driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.
Can their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever?
Purchase Links:
Amazon | Baker Book House | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook.com
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy, comment with what book YOU read for this month and you will also be entered into the year-end Grand Prize Reader Basket. Use the Rafflecopter below for extra entries and to mark that you left a comment. Entries end on the 7th of each following month at midnight EST (January = February 7, etc), and the winner will be drawn sometime that week and notified by email. The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget.
*Open to all residents of the contiguous USA, legally able to enter, and an e-book format or Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to those outside that range who are legally able to enter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What did you read for the challenge? What were your thoughts on it? Would you recommend it?
by Crystal Caudill | Sep 16, 2020 | Book Reviews
A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden
I simply could not wait to read this story, especially when I discovered the hero was a Secret Service agent. The male POV of The Spice King enthralled me and I couldn’t wait to get inside the head of a Secret Service operative, especially during the early days of their protecting the president. As always, Elizabeth Camden brought a historical and political backdrop that brought this story to life in ways no other author could. I have a deeper understanding not just of the characters of that time but also the history of our nation. It was truly fascinating. Especially seeing Caroline Delacroix’s role in the White House and shepherding Mrs. McKinley through her social and political life was truly fun. The Spice King is still my favorite of the two, but I really enjoyed The Gilded Lady. I highly recommend this book to readers who love a fully developed historical setting, stories with flawed but admirable characters, and romances that take their time with plenty of sparring.
Genre:Â Historical Romance, Washington D.C., 1900
Plot Overview:
Caroline Delacroix is at the pinnacle of Washington high society in her role as secretary to the first lady of the United States. But beneath the facade of her beauty, glamorous wardrobe, and dazzling personality, she’s hiding a terrible secret. If she cannot untangle a web of foreign espionage, her brother will face execution for treason.
Nathaniel Trask is the newly appointed head of the president’s Secret Service team. He is immediately suspicious of Caroline despite his overwhelming attraction to her quick wit and undeniable charm. Desperate to keep the president protected, Nathaniel must battle to keep his focus fully on his job as the threat to the president rises.
Amid the glamorous pageantry of Gilded Age Washington, DC, Caroline and Nathaniel will face adventure, danger, and heartbreak in a race against time that will span the continent and the depth of human emotion.
What I loved: Elizabeth Camden never fails to take my breath away with the full breadth of her writing. It’s not just a story, it’s history coming alive in ways I never understood. I particularly loved the depth of character of Caroline. She isn’t the woman you expect, but in a way she is. It was a joy to get to know her and connect with her, even if I don’t share many of her interests.
Favorite Character and Why: Caroline was an incredibly complex woman. I loved all the layers to her, the struggles she faced, and the pure humanness of her. It was so good to see he POV of things and the devotion she has to her twin brother Luke.
Rating and Why: Five Stars. The full breadth of history is astounding, and the way Elizabeth Camden presents it is engaging and believable. The romance was believable and I loved all the little squabbles sprinkled throughout. Oh! And Mrs. McKinley was a hoot to get to know. I am so glad I did not have Caroline’s job.
Amazon.com    Baker Bookhouse     Barnes and Noble      Book Depository    Christianbook.com
by Crystal Caudill | Jun 16, 2020 | Book Reviews
The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden
Elizabeth Camden’s books never fail to astound me with the depth and breadth of her research, and the Spice King was no different. The historical depth was astounding, having a deep understanding of political history, its impact on the food production industry, and the lives of vastly different characters. The amount of research she must have completed in order to bring this part of history to life must have filled a public library building if combined together. In addition to that, the character development of Gray Delacroix was extraordinary. I haven’t read his personality type developed so well and likable before. It was truly a fascinating story with a solid and believable romance line.
If you love a story steeped with a rich history, fully developed characters, and a love story which stands the test of deep personal and political struggles, you will enjoy The Spice King.
Genre:Â Historical Romance, Washington D.C., 1900
Plot Overview:
Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building his very successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before it spirals out of control, he returns to his ancestral home to save his brother and sister before it’s too late.
As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.
Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?
What I loved: The historical depth continues to blow me away. Every aspect of life in 1900 was thoroughly researched and communicated in such a way as to bring it to life. No history book has ever been able to give such a well-rounded look at a single slice of history.
Favorite Character and Why: Gray Delacroix was well developed. Though he was a very serious and flawed man, he was likable and reached hero status.
Who would like this? If you love a story steeped with a rich history, fully developed characters, and a love story which stands the test of deep personal and political struggles, you will enjoy The Spice King.
Rating and Why:Â Five Stars. The combination of history and character development really drove this rating.
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon.com    Baker Bookhouse    Barnes and Noble    Book Depository   Christianbook.com
